First they came for the Jews
and I did not speak out
because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for the Communists
and I did not speak out
because I was not a Communist.
Then they came for the trade unionists
and I did not speak out
because I was not a trade unionist.
Then they came for the Catholics,
and I didn't speak up
because I was not a Catholic.
Then they came for me and there was no one left
to speak out for me.
~Martin Niemoller, Protestant Pastor and Social Activist, 1892-1984
If Martin Niemoller were alive today, I believe he would add gays and lesbians, as well as new immigrants, and people of color to this list. What happened in Nazi Germany can happen anywhere. What we are seeing in today's political landscape is what so many have feared -- with the rich getting richer, and the poor getting poorer, Americans have turned on each other. It's called scapegoating.
The New GOP has gotten more extreme every year, attempting to take away women's basic rights to health care, financial safety nets for the poor and the elderly, and our children's opportunity to succeed through public education. They blame our pain on us, and they target the most vulnerable among us -- gays and lesbians, American laborers, new immigrants, teachers and firefighters, people of color -- even minority children.
As we say in Judaism, "Enough!" "Dayenu!"
There is one antidote for scapegoating, and only one. It's when people of all stripes -- of all colors, all ages, all ethnic backgrounds, all religions, all sexual orientations, and all professions -- stand together and say, "This is our country. These are our bodies. These are our homes. This is our work. These are our beliefs. These are our choices. These are our friends. This is my life, and you are going to have to pry it from my cold, dead hands!"
I ask my straight friends and neighbors -- please stand with me on this year's Civil Unions Bill in Colorado. This bill is not just about giving compassionate equity to Coloradans who have been treated like second class citizens far too long, allowing them the same human dignities we enjoy and take for granted. It's not just about ensuring they can hold their loved one's hand at the end of life, or own a home together, or buy insurance policies together. It's not just about protecting their children's right to legal protections.
It's about holding tight to the America we love... the America that cares about every citizen, rich or poor, male or female, native or non-native, gay or straight. It's about fighting to hold onto what made this nation great -- it's diversity and it's compassion -- it's equality, it's dream, and it's potential.
As straight progressives, please stand with me every step of the way on the CO Civil Unions bill. Take a morning or afternoon off when it is time to testify. Bombard your legislators with phone calls, emails, letters, and faxes. Organize a rally. Start a letter, and get your neighbors to sign it with you.
Join me in speaking up, because when they come for us, we're going to wish someone's left to speak on our behalf.
Please join me.
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